TW201513510A - Integrated circuit and operation system with protection function - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated circuit generating a driving signal to a load according to an input voltage is disclosed. An impedance switch unit serves the input voltage as the driving signal according to a control signal. When the current passing through the impedance switch unit is higher than a pre-determined current, a first protection unit generates a first detection signal. A first detection unit detects the voltage of the impedance switch unit to generate a detection result. A control unit generates the control signal according to the first detection signal.

Description

Integrated circuit with protection function and operating system

The present invention relates to an integrated circuit, and more particularly to an integrated circuit capable of measuring current and having overcurrent or overtemperature protection.

As semiconductor processes advance, many circuit architectures can be integrated into an integrated circuit (IC). Therefore, the types and functions of electronic products are increasing, and the volume of electronic products does not become larger as functions become larger. However, due to the small size of electronic products, components inside electronic products cannot withstand large currents. When an element inside an electronic product receives an excessive current, it may be damaged.

The invention provides an integrated circuit for generating a driving signal to a load according to an input voltage, and comprising an impedance switching unit, a first protection unit, a first detecting unit and a control unit. The impedance switch unit uses the input voltage as a drive signal according to a control signal. When the current flowing through the impedance switch unit is greater than a predetermined current, the first protection unit generates a first detection signal. The first detecting unit detects the voltage of the impedance switching unit to generate a detection result. The control unit generates a control signal according to the first detection signal.

The present invention provides another integrated circuit that generates a driving signal to a load according to an input voltage, and includes an impedance switching unit, a first protection a protection unit, a first detection unit and a control unit. The impedance switch unit uses the input voltage as a drive signal according to a control signal. The first protection unit detects the internal temperature of the integrated circuit. When the internal temperature of the integrated circuit is greater than a predetermined temperature, the first protection unit generates a first detection signal. The first detecting unit detects the voltage of the impedance switching unit to generate a detection result. The control unit generates a control signal according to the first detection signal.

In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the preferred embodiments are described below, and are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

100‧‧‧ operating system

110, 120‧‧‧ integrated circuits

130‧‧‧load

210A, 210B‧‧‧impedance switch unit

220, 260‧‧‧protection unit

230, 270‧‧‧Detection unit

240‧‧‧Control unit

211‧‧‧impedance unit

212, 234‧‧‧Optoelectronics

221‧‧‧ Current limiting module

222‧‧‧ surge protection module

224‧‧‧Anti-spike circuit

250‧‧‧Transfer unit

280‧‧‧ disable unit

313, 325‧‧‧ Thermal sensing device

314‧‧‧Zina diode

231, 232, 235, R _DS , 311, 312, 321~324‧‧‧ resistance

223, 233, 315, 326‧‧ ‧ comparator

VIN‧‧‧ input voltage

S _D ‧‧‧ drive signal

S _C ‧‧‧ control signal

EN‧‧‧External enable signal

OC‧‧‧Overcurrent signal

S _{S_OUT ‧‧‧Detection} results

SCL‧‧‧ clock signal

SDA‧‧‧ information signal

I _S ‧‧‧ Current

S _DET1 ~S _{DET3 ‧‧‧Detection} signal

S _SA ‧‧‧ conversion signal

Vs, V1, Vcc‧‧‧ voltage

Vref1~Vref4‧‧‧reference voltage

GND‧‧‧ Grounding level

Figure 1 is a possible embodiment of one of the operating systems of the present invention.

2A and 2B are diagrams showing a possible embodiment of the integrated circuit of the present invention.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing one possible embodiment of the protection unit of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a possible embodiment of one of the operating systems of the present invention. As shown, the operating system 100 includes integrated circuits 110, 120 and a load 130. The integrated circuit 110 receives and generates a drive signal S _D according to the input voltage VIN. The load 130 operates in accordance with the drive signal S _D . In a possible embodiment, the integrated circuit 110 has a transmission path (not shown) for transmitting the input voltage VIN and using the input voltage VIN as the drive signal S _D .

In the present embodiment, when the current on the transmission path is excessive, the integrated circuit 110 stops supplying the drive signal S _D to the load 130 to avoid damaging the load 130. Further, when the current on the transmission path of the integrated circuit 110 is excessive, the integrated circuit 110 outputs an overcurrent signal OC to an external device (not shown).

In another embodiment, the integrated circuit 110 detects the current on the transmission path and provides the detection result S S — _OUT to an external controller, such as the integrated circuit 120. In a possible embodiment, the integrated circuit 120 can know the power loss of the load 130 according to the detection result S _{S_OUT} and the input voltage VIN. In this embodiment, the detection result S _{S_OUT} is a voltage level.

In another possible embodiment, the integrated circuit 110 generates a clock signal SCL and a data signal SDA according to the detection result S _{S_OUT} , and provides the clock signal SCL and the data signal SDA according to a communication protocol (such as I2C). Body circuit 120, but is not intended to limit the invention. The invention does not limit the type of transmission protocol between the integrated circuits 110 and 120. In this embodiment, the detection result S _{S_OUT} is an analog signal, and the data signal SDA is a digital signal. In other embodiments, the integrated circuit 110 can generate a clock signal and a plurality of data signals according to the detection result S _{S_OUT} , and provide the clock signal and the data signal to the integrated circuit 120 according to a specific communication protocol. In other embodiments, an external device (not shown) provides a consistent energy signal EN to enable the integrated circuit 110.

2A is a possible embodiment of the integrated circuit 110 of the present invention. As shown, the integrated circuit 110 includes an impedance switch unit 210A, a protection unit 220, a detection unit 230, and a control unit 240. The impedance switching unit 210A provides a transmission path and uses the input voltage VIN as the driving signal S _D according to a control signal S _C .

In the embodiment, the impedance switch unit 210A includes an impedance unit 211 and a transistor 212. The invention does not limit the type of the impedance unit 211. In the present embodiment, the impedance unit 211 is a resistor. The transistor 212 receives the control signal S _C and connects the impedance unit 211 in series. In the present embodiment, the transistor 212 is an N-type transistor, but is not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the transistor 212 can be a P-type MOS transistor.

When the current I _S flowing through the impedance switch unit 210A is greater than a predetermined current, the protection unit 220 generates a detection signal S _DET1 . The control unit 240 generates a control signal S _C according to the detection signal S _DET1 . In a possible embodiment, the control unit 240 transmits the control signal S _C and does not conduct the crystal 212 to stop providing the driving signal S _D to the load 130, thereby protecting the impedance unit 211 from being burnt due to overload. In this embodiment, the protection unit 220 has a current limiting module 221 for generating the detection signal S _DET1 .

In another possible embodiment, the protection unit 220 further includes a glitch protection module 222. When the current I _S flowing through the impedance switch unit 210A is greater than the preset current and continues for a predetermined time, the surge protection module 220 generates a detection signal S _DET2 . The control unit 240 generates a control signal S _C according to the detection signal S _{DET2 for} not conducting the crystal 212, thereby protecting the impedance unit 211 from being burnt due to overload. Therefore, the integrated circuit 110 stops supplying the drive signal S _D to the load 130. In this embodiment, the surge protection module 220 includes a comparator 223 and a deglitch circuit 224.

The comparator 223 draws a pulse that flows through the impedance switch unit 210A. The anti-spike circuit 224 determines whether the duration of the pulse flowing through the impedance switching unit 210A is greater than a predetermined time. If not, ignore this pulse. The anti-spike circuit 224 generates the detection signal S _DET2 if the duration of the pulse flowing through the impedance switching unit 210A reaches a preset time.

The detecting unit 230 detects the voltage of the impedance switching unit 210A for generating a detection result S _{S_OUT} . In this embodiment, the detecting unit 230 detects a pressure difference of the impedance unit 211, and generates a detection result S _{S_OUT} according to the pressure difference. The present invention does not limit the circuit architecture of the detecting unit 230. In a possible embodiment, the detecting unit 230 includes resistors 231, 232, a comparator 233, and a transistor 234.

As shown, the resistor 231 is coupled between one end of the impedance unit 211 and the non-inverting input of the comparator 233. The resistor 232 is coupled between the other end of the impedance unit 211 and the inverting input of the comparator 233. The transistor 234 is coupled to the resistor 231, and generates a detection result S _{S_OUT} according to the output signal of the comparator 233. In the present embodiment, the transistor 234 is an npn transistor, but is not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the transistor 234 can be other types of transistors.

In this embodiment, the detection result S _{S_OUT} = I _S R ₂₁₁ R ₂₃₅ /R ₂₃₁ , where I _S is the current flowing through the impedance unit 211, R ₂₁₁ is the impedance value of the impedance unit 211, and R ₂₃₅ is the resistance 235 The impedance value and R ₂₃₁ are the impedance values of the resistor 231. Since the detection results S _{S_OUT} , R ₂₁₁ , R _{235 ,} and R ₂₃₁ are known, an external integrated circuit (eg, 120) can calculate the current I _S flowing through the impedance unit 211 by calculation.

In the embodiment, the integrated circuit 110 further includes a conversion unit 250. The converting unit 250 converts the detection result S _{S_OUT} for generating a conversion signal S _SA . The control unit 240 generates the data signal SDA and the clock signal SCL to an external controller, such as the integrated circuit 120, according to the conversion signal S _SA . In this example, the integrated circuit 120 can simultaneously receive the detection result S _{S_OUT of the} analog format and receive the data signal SDA in the digital format according to the clock signal SCL, but is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention does not limit the communication protocol in which the integrated circuit 110 communicates with the integrated circuit 120. In other embodiments, the integrated circuit 110 can generate a clock signal and a plurality of data signals according to the detection result S _{S_OUT} , and provide the clock signal and the data signal to the integrated circuit 120 according to a specific communication protocol.

Fig. 2B is another possible embodiment of the integrated circuit of the present invention. Fig. 2B is similar to Fig. 2A except that the impedance switch unit 210B. In the present embodiment, the impedance switch unit 210B has a transistor 212. The detecting unit 230 detects a voltage difference between an equivalent resistance R _DS between the drain and the source of the transistor 212, and generates a detection result S _{S_OUT} according to the voltage difference of the equivalent resistance R _DS . In the present embodiment, the impedance unit 211 in the first embodiment is replaced with the equivalent resistance R _{DS of the} transistor 212, which is advantageous in that cost can be saved.

In a possible embodiment, the integrated circuit 120 calculates the current flowing through the equivalent resistance R _DS according to the detection result S _{S_OUT} , the internal temperature of the integrated circuit 110, and the input voltage VIN. In addition, the functions and operations of the protection unit 220, the detection unit 230, and the conversion unit 250 in FIG. 2B are the same as those in FIG. 2A, and thus are not described herein. FIG. 2B includes a protection unit 260, a detection unit 270, and a disable unit 280.

The protection unit 260 detects the internal temperature of the integrated circuit 110. The present invention does not limit the circuit architecture of the protection unit 260. As long as the circuit structure capable of detecting temperature can be used as the protection unit 260. In a possible embodiment, the protection unit 260 has a temperature sensor. When the internal temperature of the integrated circuit 110 is greater than a predetermined temperature, the protection unit 260 generates a detection signal S _DET3 . In a possible embodiment, the control unit 240 does not conduct the transistor 212 according to the detection signal S _DET3 to stop providing the driving signal S _D to the load 130, thereby protecting the transistor 212 from being burnt due to over temperature.

The detecting unit 270 detects the level of the input voltage VIN. The present invention does not limit the circuit architecture of the detecting unit 270. As long as the circuit capable of detecting the voltage level can be used as the detecting unit 270. In a possible embodiment, the detecting unit 270 It is a voltage detector. When the input voltage VIN is less than a predetermined voltage, the detecting unit 270 disables the control unit 240.

The disable unit 280 disables or enables the control unit 240 based on an external enable signal EN. For example, when the external enable signal EN is at a first level, the disable unit 280 generates a disable signal for stopping the operation of the control unit 240; when the external enable signal EN is at a second level, the switch is disabled. The energy unit 280 generates a consistent energy signal to enable activation of the control unit 240. For example, the first level is a ground level, and the second level is a high level, such as 3.3 volts; or the first level is a high level, such as 3.3 volts, and the second The level is a ground level. The present invention is not limited to the circuit architecture of the disable unit 280. In a possible embodiment, the disable unit 280 is comprised of logic circuitry.

In other embodiments, at least one of the protection unit 260, the detection unit 270, and the disable unit 280 may be omitted. Furthermore, at least one of the protection unit 260, the detection unit 270, and the disable unit 280 can be applied to the integrated circuit 110 shown in FIG. 2A. Further, the impedance switching unit 210B of FIG. 2B may be substituted for the impedance switching unit 210A of FIG. 2A.

3A is a possible embodiment of a protection unit 260 of the present invention. As shown, the protection unit 260 includes resistors 311, 312, a thermal sensing device 313, a Zener diode 314, and a comparator 315. The resistor 311 receives the voltage Vs and is coupled to the non-inverting input of the comparator 315. Resistor 312 receives voltage V1 and pulls the output of comparator 315 to a level.

The thermal sensing device 313 is coupled to the non-inverting input of the comparator 315. In the present embodiment, the thermal sensing device 313 has a plurality of temperature sensing diodes, but is not intended to limit the invention. Any component capable of detecting temperature can be used as the thermal sensing device 313. For example, the thermal sensing device 313 can be constructed of a thermistor. In addition, the cathode of the Zener diode 314 is coupled to the inverting input of the comparator 315. The anode receives a ground level GND for providing a reference voltage Vref1. The output level of the comparator 315 is used as the detection signal S _DET3 .

When the temperature of the integrated circuit 110 rises, the voltage Vref2 of the thermal sensing device 313 changes. When the voltage Vref2 of the thermal sensing device 313 is greater than the reference voltage Vref1, it indicates that the temperature of the integrated circuit 110 has not been greater than a predetermined temperature, and therefore, the output level of the comparator 315 is at a high level. When the voltage Vref2 of the thermal sensing device 313 is less than the reference voltage Vref1, it indicates that the temperature of the integrated circuit 110 is greater than the preset temperature, and therefore, the output level of the comparator 315 is at a low level.

FIG. 3B is another possible embodiment of the protection unit 260. As shown, the protection unit 260 includes resistors 321 - 324, a thermal sensing device 325, and a comparator 326. The comparator 326 generates the detection signal S _DET3 based on the voltage signals _Vref3 and Vref4. Since the connection relationship of the components of the protection unit 260 has been clearly shown in FIG. 3B, it will not be described again.

In the present embodiment, the thermal sensing device 325 is composed of a plurality of thermistors. The thermistor can be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are used in the ordinary meaning Moreover, unless expressly stated, the definition of a vocabulary in a general dictionary should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning of an article in its related art, and should not be interpreted as an ideal state or an overly formal voice.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧ operating system

110, 120‧‧‧ integrated circuits

130‧‧‧load

VIN‧‧‧ input voltage

EN‧‧‧External enable signal

S _D ‧‧‧ drive signal

OC‧‧‧Overcurrent signal

S _{S_OUT ‧‧‧Detection} results

SCL‧‧‧ clock signal

SDA‧‧‧ information signal

Claims (20)

An integrated circuit generates a driving signal to a load according to an input voltage, comprising: an impedance switching unit, the input voltage is used as the driving signal according to a control signal; and a first protection unit flows through the impedance When the current of the switch unit is greater than a preset current, a first detection signal is generated; a first detecting unit detects a voltage of the impedance switch unit to generate a detection result; and a control unit, according to the The first detection signal generates the control signal. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a second protection unit for detecting an internal temperature of the integrated circuit, when an internal temperature of the integrated circuit is greater than a preset temperature, Generating a second detection signal, wherein the control unit generates the control signal according to the first and second detection signals. The integrated circuit of claim 2, wherein the impedance switch unit is a MOS transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, the gate receiving the control signal, the first The detecting unit detects a pressure difference between the drain and the source, and generates the detection result according to the pressure difference. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the impedance switch unit comprises: a transistor for receiving the control signal; and an impedance unit connected in series with the transistor, the first detecting unit detecting the impedance a pressure difference of the unit, and the detection result is generated according to the pressure difference. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the control unit provides the detection result to an external controller. The integrated circuit of claim 5, further comprising: a conversion unit that converts the detection result to generate a conversion signal, wherein the control unit generates a data signal and a clock according to the conversion signal Signal to the external controller. The integrated circuit of claim 6, wherein the detection result is an analog signal, and the data signal is a digital signal. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the first protection unit comprises: a surge protection module, wherein a current flowing through the impedance switch unit is greater than the preset current, and continues to a preset At the time, a second detection signal is generated, wherein the control unit generates the control signal according to the first and second detection signals. The integrated circuit of claim 1, further comprising: a disable unit that disables or enables the control unit according to an external enable signal; and a second detection unit when the input voltage When the voltage is less than a preset voltage, the control unit is disabled. An integrated circuit for generating a driving signal to a load according to an input voltage, and comprising: an impedance switching unit, the input voltage is used as the driving signal according to a control signal; a first protection unit detects an internal temperature of the integrated circuit, and generates a first detection signal when an internal temperature of the integrated circuit is greater than a predetermined temperature; and a first detecting unit detects the impedance The voltage of the switch unit is used to generate a detection result; and a control unit generates the control signal according to the first detection signal. The integrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the impedance switch unit is a MOS transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, the gate receiving the control signal, the first The detecting unit detects a pressure difference between the drain and the source, and generates the detection result according to the pressure difference. The integrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the impedance switch unit comprises: a transistor for receiving the control signal; and an impedance unit connected in series with the transistor, wherein the first detecting unit detects the a pressure difference of the impedance unit, and the detection result is generated according to the pressure difference. The integrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the control unit provides the detection result to an external controller. The integrated circuit of claim 13 further comprising: a conversion unit that converts the detection result to generate a conversion signal, wherein the control unit generates a data signal and a clock according to the conversion signal. Signal to the external controller. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the detection result is an analog signal, and the data signal is a digital signal. The integrated circuit of claim 10, wherein the first protection The unit includes: a surge protection module, when the current flowing through the impedance switch unit is greater than the preset current, and continues for a predetermined time, generating a second detection signal, wherein the control unit is configured according to the first And the second detection signal generates the control signal. The integrated circuit of claim 10, further comprising: an disable unit that disables or enables the control unit according to an external enable signal; and a second detection unit when the input voltage When the voltage is less than a preset voltage, the control unit is disabled. An operating system comprising: a first integrated circuit comprising: an impedance switching unit, wherein an input voltage is used as a driving signal according to a control signal; and a first protection unit, when a current flowing through the impedance switching unit is greater than a first detection signal is generated by a first detection unit, a first detection unit detects a voltage of the impedance switch unit for generating a detection result, and a control unit is configured according to the first detection signal Generating the control signal; a load acting according to the driving signal; and a second integrated circuit receiving the detection result for calculating a power loss of the load. The operating system of claim 18, wherein the impedance switch unit is a MOS transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source. The gate receives the control signal, the first detecting unit detects a pressure difference between the drain and the source, and generates the detection result according to the pressure difference. The operating system of claim 18, wherein the impedance switch unit comprises: a transistor for receiving the control signal; and an impedance unit connected in series with the transistor, wherein the first detecting unit detects the impedance a pressure difference of the unit, and the detection result is generated according to the pressure difference.